Definition of addiction

2: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (such as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal;
broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

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Origin and Etymology of addiction

earlier, "inclination, bent," in part derivative of 1addict, in part borrowed from Latin addictiōn-, addictiō "adjudging (of disputed property), assignment of a debtor to the custody of his creditor," from addīcere "to assign (property), hand over, give up to" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at 1addict

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

ADDICTION Defined for English Language Learners

addiction

Definition of addiction for English Language Learners

: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)

: an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something

Medical Dictionary

addiction

noun
ad·dic·tion \ə-ˈdik-shən\

medical
Definition of addiction

: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal;
broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful — compare habituation